Becks back in training

Beckham trains in Portugal

14 April 2012

England's players finally got down to business today in Portugal when they trained in morning sunshine that was already bringing temperatures into the mid-20s and had them slapping on the sun cream.

Although John Terry was forced to sit out the session, Sven-Goran Eriksson kept a watchful eye on proceedings as the other players took part in a light-hearted piggyinthe-middle game.

Trevor Brooking, the FA's director of football development, was another interested spectator at the former National Stadium, scene of Celtic's famous European Cup Final victory over Internazionale in 1967, as the squad tried out the new adidas footballs, produced specially for the tournament.

David Beckham was among those practising with the new balls, as he returned to training after his ankle injury and treatment for a cyst on his back.

The players are gearing up, of course, to face some familiar names when they open their Group B campaign against France on Sunday and none more so than Ashley Cole, who today promised to accelerate the psychological war.

The England defender could be up against four Arsenal team-mates on Sunday and he revealed that he plans to be playing mind games with the quartet over the next few days. "I'm thinking of texting them," said Cole today.

"Just to remind them that I'm here in Portugal and that we're going to beat them.

"There wasn't a great deal of banter between us at Arsenal until just before the end of the season. Up until then we had a Premiership to win and a record to break.

"After those two objectives were reached, we got around to talking about the European Championship. I told them that they better not come over to me or I will kick them - if I can get near enough that is!

"Seriously, though, everyone in England knows how good Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira and Sylvain Wiltord are. We have to respect the French team, but we have some great players as well.

"I know a few of the lads said they were tired after the match against Japan but personally I felt fine. I've had a decent break and I'm raring to go, I can't wait."

Cole does not seem overawed by the occasion. He added: "Meeting France in the opening game is a tough challenge, we know that, but if you want to win Euro 2004 you have to beat the best.

"To qualify from our group we have to do well over three matches, not just the first one against France. Croatia won't be easy and don't forget about Switzerland.

"But we're very positive in the squad - we'll play anyone."

The left side of midfield, the position directly in front of Cole, has been a perennial problem, but Eriksson may have found the answer following Paul Scholes's performance there against Iceland.

Cole especially appreciated the Manchester United man's contribution in a more conventional 4-4-2 shape, rather than the diamond formation which the England players struggled with against Japan.

"The 4-4-2 sometimes makes it easier," said Cole. "That's because the opposition normally leave someone out wide and he attacks the full-back.

"Against Iceland, Paul did a great job in the first half of protecting me and David Beckham did likewise on the other side.

"We do seem happier with that system but I'm not the manager and I will never complain.

"When we play a diamond, I have to be careful. If I attack at the wrong time and I lose the ball then we could be in trouble, because the player I should be marking is on his own.

"That's happened in a few games for England and the opposing team have found that man and scored. That's exposed me but I have learnt from that."

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Becks back in training

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